Protec U is pleased to announce that we will now be offering the "Refuse To Be A Victim®"," NRA Basic Pistol", and the "NC Concealed Carry Handgun" Training Courses.

The "Lock Shop" and the Protec U Training Facility is located at 200 S. Main St., Waynesville.  Located inside the glass storefront adjacent to the entrance of the Oak Park Inn.  The "Lock Shop" is open for "Walk-In" service Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., but is subject to close for Emergency Calls.  The "Lock Shop" may be open at other times of the day, depending upon scheduled service calls.  Please call to verify, before making a long trip downtown.  Parking is located alongside the Oak Park Inn Entrance or inside the Oak Park Inn Parking Area.

We provide Automotive and Residential Emergency Lock-Outs; Automotive Key Generation (lost key replacement) including Transponder Keys; Lock Re-Pinning; Lock Repair and Installations; Electronic (keyless) Access Systems.

Protec U Corporation is Licensed, Bonded, and Insured.  We are available for service in Haywood County, North Carolina,  24 hours / 7 days a week, including: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Clyde, Hazelwood, and Canton. 

We are members of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, Haywood County Board of Realtors, and the Associated Locksmiths of America.

Before selecting any locksmith, please review the following: 

What to look for when you are selecting a locksmith:

1) LICENSED. 

North Carolina Statute requires that:

No person shall perform or offer to perform locksmith services in this State unless the person has been licensed under the provisions of this Chapter (74F). Locksmith services – Repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, servicing, adjusting, or installing locks, mechanical or electronic locking devices, access control devices, egress control devices, vaults, and safe-deposit boxes for compensation or other consideration, including services performed by safe technicians.

Installation and or service of electronic locking devices, access control devices, and CCTV systems can require a state electrical contractor’s license.
 
Exemptions from licensing:  An employee of a towing service or an automotive repair business providing services in the normal course of its business, a repossessor, a taxi cab service, a motor vehicle dealer, or a motor club when opening automotive locks in the normal course of their duties, so long as the employee does not represent himself or herself as a locksmith.  *See Automotive Section for reasons you should still use a licensed locksmith for your automotive needs.

Each licensed locksmith is required to post his/her license number in all advertising and is issued a photo identification card.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY, PLEASE VERIFY THAT YOUR LOCKSMITH IS LICENSED!

(You can verify if your locksmith has a locksmith license at: The North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board) (You can verify if your locksmith has an electrical contractor’s license at: The NC Sate Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors)

2) BONDED. 

Being bonded is like an insurance policy for the customer. The state dictates which professions need to be bonded.  North Carolina does not require licensed locksmiths to be bonded, but a professional locksmith will be bonded.

There are lots of shady characters out there who would easily take advantage of some naive homeowners. For instance, they might collect a big down payment and disappear, or start the work and leave before it is finished. Bonding companies do not bond shady characters (normally) because they would be exposed to possible claims.

The whole idea of bonds is protection for the consumer. 

WHEN SELECTING A LOCKSMITH, ASK HIM/HER IF THEY ARE BONDED.

3) INSURED.

Any legitimate company or service provider will carry a valid liability insurance policy.  These policies will pay for any damages or injuries incurred as a result of the service provided. 

WHEN SELECTING A LOCKSMITH, ASK HIM/HER IF THEY HAVE A VALID/CURRENT LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY

(Insurance Agents will verify policy status).

4) CERTIFIED.

A professional locksmith needs to keep educated on industry standards and technological advances.  To do this most professional locksmiths become members of trade associations

As an international trade association, the Associated Locksmith of America (ALOA) recognizes professionalism and proficiency among locksmiths by granting the designations Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL), Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL), Certified Master Locksmith (CML). Available to all locksmiths, the Proficiency Registration Program (PRP) evaluates, through participation tracking and testing, the educational and technical competence of dedicated individuals in a wide range of subjects including; Automotive locksmithing, General locksmithing, Electronic Access Control and Safe and Vault service.

The first level of locksmith certification is Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL). A Certified Registered Locksmith has passed the ten mandatory categories, as well as at least two specialized electives of his choice. A CRL has a good working knowledge of general locksmithing.

WHEN SELECTING A LOCKSMITH, ASK HIM/HER IF THEY ARE MEMBERS OF A TRADE ASSOCIATION AND IF THEY HAVE OBTAINED NATIONAL CERTIFICATION.

(You can verify if your locksmith is a member of or has obtained national certification from ALOA)